Workshop: Victorians at Sea

Set off on a 60-day journey to Australia on board the ss Great Britain and find out how the Victorians kept busy on a long voyage.

Examine objects, play games, try out dip pens and be amazed by scientific illusions and amusements.

Our interactive workshops take place in the Medlock Education Centre and are led by a member of the Education Team. They are intended for up to 30 children per workshop.

Workshop: Passenger Investigation

Duration: 1 hour

Who travelled on the ss Great Britain and what was it like?

Use replica objects, documents and original historic artefacts to conduct an investigation and discover the stories behind the passengers who made life-changing journeys on the ss Great Britain.

Our interactive workshops take place in the Medlock Education Centre and are led by a member of the Education Team. They are intended for up to 30 children per workshop.

Workshop: Brunel the Engineer

Duration: 1 hour

In his role as an Engineer, Brunel worked on many different projects. Find out more about some of these projects, why he made changes to the design of the SS Great Britain and make her steam-powered screw propeller turn!

Then head in to the Being Brunel museum to hunt for original, historic artefacts linked to the man and his work.

This interactive, hands on workshop takes place in the Medlock Education Centre and Being Brunel. It is led by a member of the Education Team. It is intended for up to 30 children per workshop.

Available from September 2018.

Show: Being Brunel (for years 5 and 6)

Duration: 1 hour

Discover the story of Brunel’s life, learn about his successes and failures, and explore the skills and attributes that made him the inventive genius we celebrate today.

The Being Brunel show explores the history and science of Brunel’s projects with audience participation, interactive challenges and demonstrations.

The show takes place in the Great Eastern Hall and is led by a member of the Education Team; it is suitable for larger groups and can accommodate up to 90 pupils.

Available on selected Mondays and Tuesdays in October, November and December. Please call our Bookings team on 0117 926 0680 or email: groups@ssgreatbritain.org to check availability.

Tour: Guided Tour of the Ship

Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour

Find out about the different phases of the ss Great Britain’s long and adventurous life and meet passengers and crew along the way with our knowledgeable volunteer tour guides.

Tours are free for schools on top of admission costs and subject to availability

Tour: Guided Tour of the Dry Dock (For years 5 & 6)

Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour. Suitable for years 5 and 6.

Take an interactive tour beneath the glass sea, participate in demonstrations and discover the secrets behind Brunel's unique technology and innovative design.

Tours are free for schools on top of admission costs and subject to availability

Self Guided Resource: The Captain’s Trail

Duration: Approximately 1 hour

*Please note: the cannons have now been removed from the Weather Deck. They are now located on the Dockside.

Take on the Captain’s role and inspect the ss Great Britain during her long voyage to Australia. This self guided trail helps your group discover the secrets of First Class and Steerage passengers, explore the ship’s galley and try their hand at steering!